| Abstract [eng] |
The main goal of this work is to research the cultural phenomenon of tattooing in Lithuania. Correlations between tattoos and ritual practices, popular culture, subculture, art, body politics, consumerism, are analyzed. The study uses works by M. Featherstone (2000), T. Siebers (2000), M. DeMello (2000), J. Rush (2005) and others in order to establish a constructive, creative approach to tattoos. It also reveals the critical point of view expressed by T. Adorno, M. Horkheimer, Z. Bauman, M. Foucault, and J. Baudrillard. The work used qualitative research data which discovered multiplicity of tattoo meanings. In conditions of global cultural economy, permanent body marking has lost its primary sacred significance, but took on new meanings. Interview analysis revealed that Lithuania is still ongoing a tattoo reintegration process. The deep-rooted stereotypes (the tattoo as a marginal, deviant phenomenon) are blurring, and tattooing is increasingly seen as an art form, an alternative to the dominant beauty standardization or method of resistance against the disciplinary mechanisms of society. Popular culture had greatest impact on this reintegration. On the one hand, this enabled the spread of new meanings, a broader understanding of body modifications. On the other hand, the consumption of tattoos has become a mass consumer phenomenon. It is associated with the customers’ needs - they prefer uncreative tattoos, massively reproducible symbols, do not give a deeper meaning to the procedure of tattooing. Tattooing services in Lithuania are expanding rapidly, the number of professional artists is increasing, and new styles and genres emerge. According to qualitative research, this depends on the tattooists themselves. They develop the clients‘ cultural competence, continuously consult and advise, perform authentic works. This work concludes that the constructive approach to tattoos is spreading widely in Lithuania, emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, cultural diversity. |
